Longris of Arunachal Pradesh get their first Church at Old Khamdu

The Longris, a small sub-tribe of the Tangsas of Arunachal Pradesh, created sort of a history with the blessing and dedication of their first Catholic Church at Old Khamdu village of Changlang District on 8 February.

Located about 7 Kilometers from Jairampur subdivision of Changlang District, Old Khamdu is home exclusively to the Longris. It is an all-Christian village with 22 Catholic families. "It is one of joyous day of our life", said Mr. Tusam Longri, a redient of Old Khamdu and Zilla Panchayat Member (ZPM) of the Subdivision. Speaking on the occasion, the ZPM exhorted the people to give up bad habits like drugs and use of alcohol. As we make a new beginning with the blessing of this new Church, let us start our life afresh, he said.

The President of east Arunachal Pradesh Catholic Association (APCA), Mr. Mungtang Mossang, together with the Pilar Priests working in Nampong and Manmao prepared a wide range of cultural items to make the spiritual event a colourful one.

Blessing and dedicating the Church to Jesus our Saviour, Bishop George of Miao Diocese emphasized the need for spiritual transformation. "A building does not make a Church, but it is the people who make the Church. A community that lives by the values of Christ what makes the Church", he said. Let us make a strong transformation as we migrate from a humble bamboo structure to a strong concrete Church, he added.

Fr. Avan Vas SFX, the Incharge of the Mission at Old Khamdu thanked all the kind donors who made this Church a reality for the Longris of Miao Diocese.